Bring it 2010!

As we embark on a new year – a new decade – I, as many others, have high hopes for the future year and beyond.

I can’t say I am sad to leave 2009 – it was a year filled with total and utter sadness in losing my heart and soul’s confidant for so many years, my mom. The further away I get from that awful day the better.

The year 2009 was also filled with many other emotional ups and downs; gay marriage was taken away in the state of California and the state of Maine, but legalized in Vermont, New Hampshire, Idaho, and DC is very close.

My Yankees won the World Series but my Redskins failed in every aspect of the game.

My wife and I got legally married in Connecticut but we still live in a state that will not recognize it.

We FINALLY left the BUSH era of politics and we swore in our first African American President – long overdue!

So what does everyone want to achieve in the New Year? What are our hopes and dreams for the freshness of starting over in a new decade with 365 days of opportunity?

On a somewhat superficial but still poignant level, here are my hopes for what needs to change culturally (in no particular order):

1 – The F***ing Gosselin family finds a rock to crawl under so we never have to hear about their dumb ass issues again! Thanks TLC for bringing them into the world!

2 – That Melissa Etheridge’s next album is a little more rockin’ and a lot less political.

3 – That President Obama starts listening and helping the gay community – as he promised on the campaign trail.

4 – That the Redskins don’t get any worse… Needless to say – I hope the Yankees repeat their success J

5 – That more people stand up and fight for what they believe and the people that they love. Silence does not work against inequality!

6 – That Bravo rethinks the “Real Housewives” series – C’MON!!!!

7 – That Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sarah Palin get caught in a torrid love affair - both of them are discredited and we never have to hear their uneducated, unfeeling political views again.

8 – That instant replay is used in baseball for all “questionable” calls.

9 – That professional athletes lose their right to play their game and live their ridiculously high paying lifestyle if they are arrested for murder, drugs, DUI, battery, rape, weapons possession, dog fighting, and anything else a normal every day person would be fired for!

10 – That religious groups focus on constructive ways to HELP people instead of wasting their time and money demonizing gays and taking away our civil rights.

And on a more personal level – my goals for the New Year are:

1 – That every day I find new ways to make my wife laugh J

2 – Spend more time with my brother – he makes me happy.

3 – Promote more fundraisers for The Donna Beverly Fund and help even more families fighting Cancer.

4 – Give blood THEN get a tattoo! Win Win

5 – Maybe this year I will pick up the guitar and learn a few tunes.

6 – To finally make those radiators covers. (that’s for you baby)

7 – Run more races – continue to make better times.

8 – Take more vacations with my wife – she deserves it!!

9 – Do my part to help Women’s football flourish (stay Tuned)

10 – Most of all, my hope for the new year and beyond, is that people learn to open their heart enough to recognize those that need our love and attention and to let those who want to, give it.

Be safe and happy!

Make every day count!

Peace out!